SkyBridge Michigan at Boyne Mountain: Full Tour, Tickets and Tips

14 hours ago

5 min read

SkyBridge Michigan at Boyne Mountain is the world's longest timber-towered suspension bridge, and it's one of the best reasons to visit Northern Michigan outside of ski season. I first went on a sunny weekend in late summer, rode the chairlift to the top, walked across, grabbed lunch on the far side and walked back. I've been back a few times since, stayed overnight at Boyne, and seen the bridge in different seasons, including the October fall festival and the holiday lights. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

Quick facts

Location: Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls, Michigan
Getting there: A six-person chairlift takes you to the bridge in about 4 to 5 minutes. On the way back, you can walk down the roughly 1-mile nature trail.
Cost: $30 when I visited in 2023, including the chairlift and good all day. Check Boyne Mountain for current prices.
Bridge: 1,200 feet long and 118 feet high, with a 36-foot glass floor
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
Best season: Year-round. Go in October for the fall festival, or during the holidays to see the bridge covered in Christmas lights.

SkyBridge Michigan by the numbers

The bridge looks impressive from the chairlift, but the numbers are what really stuck with me:

Length: 1,200 feet, about the length of three football fields.
Height: 118 feet above the valley floor at its highest point.
Width: just 5 feet, so you're walking close to the people coming the other way.
Main cable: a 3-inch cable that weighs 22,000 pounds.
Towers: two wooden towers, each 52 feet tall and weighing over 110,000 pounds, assembled with more than 8,000 bolts.
Foundations: over 1.3 million pounds of concrete holding the towers in place.
Glass floor: a 36-foot section of glass in the middle of the bridge where you can look straight down.

The bridge was built by Experiential Resources Inc., the same company behind the Gatlinburg SkyBridge in Tennessee. Boyne's bridge is roughly twice as long.

Getting to the top

You don't hike up to the bridge. A six-person chairlift carries you up the hill to the start of SkyBridge in about four to five minutes, and the ride itself has great views back over the resort.

On my first visit in 2023, the ticket was $30 and covered both the chairlift and the bridge, and it was good for the whole day. That means you can cross, hang out at the top, and cross again without paying twice. Prices change, so check Boyne Mountain's website for current rates and hours before you go.

Getting back down: you don't have to ride the chairlift back. I've walked down the hill on the nature trail a few times instead. It's only about a mile and it's a really nice walk, so it's worth doing at least once.

Walking across the bridge

SkyBridge stretches between the peaks of McLouth and Disciples Ridge, right over the top of the Rams Head ski run. It does sway a little as you walk, especially when the bridge is busy, which is part of the fun. If heights make you nervous, keep your eyes on the far tower and you'll be fine.

The glass section in the middle is the highlight. Stand on it and you're looking 100-plus feet straight down at the ski run below. Since the bridge runs right over Rams Head, I'd love to come back in winter and watch skiers pass underneath.

What's at the other end

The far side isn't just a turnaround point. There's a small hangout area with a spot for live music, restrooms and a food truck. I grabbed a beer and a plate of loaded pierogis, which were worth it, though be ready for a wait: it took about 15 minutes for our food.

There's also a restaurant at the top called the Eagle's Nest. It didn't look open the day I was there, so don't count on it for a meal without checking ahead.

More to do at Boyne Mountain

SkyBridge works best as part of a full day at Boyne. While you're up on the mountain:

Disc golf: there's a course at the top, so bring your frisbees.
Hiking: walking trails run across the mountain if you want more time outside.
Mountain biking: Boyne has bike trails for warmer months.
Water park: a good option for families or a rainy afternoon.

Boyne is best known as a ski resort, but with SkyBridge it has turned into a year-round destination.

Staying overnight at Boyne Mountain

SkyBridge is an easy day trip, but it's even better as part of a weekend. I've stayed overnight at a few different spots at Boyne over my visits, including the Edelweiss Lodge and the Boynehof Lodge, and staying on the mountain makes it easy to fit in the bridge, a good meal and everything else without rushing.

Don't skip the spa. It's really nice, and it's the perfect way to unwind after a day of walking the bridge and exploring the mountain.

SkyBridge through the seasons

I've seen the bridge at different times of year, and a couple of seasons stand out:

Fall: In October, Boyne hosts a fall festival that's a lot of fun, and it lines up with fall color season, when the forest around the bridge is at its best.

Holidays: During the holiday season, Christmas lights cover the bridge from end to end. Seeing the whole thing lit up is really cool and worth planning a trip around.

Check Boyne Mountain's website for this year's festival dates and when the holiday lights are up.

Map and directions

Get directions to SkyBridge Michigan in Google Maps. Want to see where else I've been? Check out the CDR Adventures Travel Map.

Tips for your visit

Plan for two to three hours if you want to cross both ways, eat at the top and look around. Add more time for disc golf or hiking.
Go early on weekends. The food truck line and the bridge both get busier in the afternoon.
Bring a layer. It's windier and cooler on the ridge than at the base.
October is a great time to go for fall color and the fall festival, but expect bigger crowds.
For photos, the glass floor is the shot everyone wants, and the side view of the full bridge from the far end shows its scale.

Is SkyBridge Michigan worth it?

Yes. For about the cost of a movie and dinner, you get a scenic chairlift ride, a walk across a world-record bridge and a spot to relax with food and a drink at the top. It's an easy half-day trip for families, couples or anyone exploring Northern Michigan, and it works in every season. I've been back several times, and it's a different experience every visit.

Exploring Northern Michigan this year? Check out EverNorth Outfitters for apparel inspired by places like this, and subscribe to CDR Adventures on YouTube for more Michigan adventures.